Biomaterial Database

Predicting performance in the first-year of pharmacy school. 2011

Donald G Meagher, and Tianshu Pan, and Christina D Perez

NCS Pearson, Inc., San Antonio, Texas, USA. don.meagher@pearson.com

OBJECTIVE To determine the predictive validity of the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) scores and other variables for students' success in the first year of doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) programs. METHODS PCAT scores, entering grade-point averages (GPAs), demographic characteristics, and GPAs for the first year of pharmacy curriculum were collected from the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS) and from 22 pharmacy programs. RESULTS PCAT scores and entering GPAs were positively correlated with subsequent GPAs after the first year. Regression analyses showed the contribution of PCAT scores and entering GPAs in predicting first-year pharmacy GPAs. CONCLUSIONS PCAT scores and prepharmacy GPAs both showed moderate predictive validity in indicating candidates likely to succeed in the first year of the pharmacy program. These findings are consistent with those of previous similar studies.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D012044	Regression Analysis	Procedures for finding the mathematical function which best describes the relationship between a dependent variable and one or more independent variables. In linear regression (see LINEAR MODELS) the relationship is constrained to be a straight line and LEAST-SQUARES ANALYSIS is used to determine the best fit. In logistic regression (see LOGISTIC MODELS) the dependent variable is qualitative rather than continuously variable and LIKELIHOOD FUNCTIONS are used to find the best relationship. In multiple regression, the dependent variable is considered to depend on more than a single independent variable.	Regression Diagnostics,Statistical Regression,Analysis, Regression,Analyses, Regression,Diagnostics, Regression,Regression Analyses,Regression, Statistical,Regressions, Statistical,Statistical Regressions
D003099	College Admission Test	Test designed to identify students suitable for admission into a graduate or undergraduate curriculum.	Admission Test, College,Admission Tests, College,College Admission Tests,Test, College Admission,Tests, College Admission
D003625	Data Collection	Systematic gathering of data for a particular purpose from various sources, including questionnaires, interviews, observation, existing records, and electronic devices. The process is usually preliminary to statistical analysis of the data.	Data Collection Methods,Dual Data Collection,Collection Method, Data,Collection Methods, Data,Collection, Data,Collection, Dual Data,Data Collection Method,Method, Data Collection,Methods, Data Collection
D004512	Education, Pharmacy	Formal instruction, learning, or training in the preparation, dispensing, and proper utilization of drugs in the field of medicine.	Pharmacy Education,Education, Pharmaceutic,Education, Pharmaceutical,Pharmaceutic Education,Pharmaceutical Education
D004521	Educational Measurement	The assessing of academic or educational achievement. It includes all aspects of testing and test construction.	Assessment, Educational,Graduate Records Examination,Educational Assessment,Examination, Graduate Records,Measurement, Educational,Assessments, Educational,Educational Assessments,Educational Measurements,Examinations, Graduate Records,Graduate Records Examinations,Measurements, Educational
D005544	Forecasting	The prediction or projection of the nature of future problems or existing conditions based upon the extrapolation or interpretation of existing scientific data or by the application of scientific methodology.	Futurology,Projections and Predictions,Future,Predictions and Projections
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012570	School Admission Criteria	Requirements for the selection of students for admission to academic institutions.	Student Selection,Admission Criteria, School,Criteria, School Admission,Selection, Student,Selections, Student,Student Selections
D012580	Schools, Pharmacy	Educational institutions for individuals specializing in the field of pharmacy.	Pharmacy Schools,Pharmacy School,School, Pharmacy
D013339	Students, Pharmacy	Individuals enrolled in a school of pharmacy or a formal educational program leading to a degree in pharmacy.	Pharmacy Student,Pharmacy Students,Student, Pharmacy